Red Bull F1 launch 2026: Max Verstappen prepared for the ‘unknown’ as new car launched - admitting it's a 'very big change with the engine'
Red Bull has unveiled its new car for the 2026 F1 season.
Max Verstappen admitted the new-look Red Bull will take “time to adjust” to as he prepares for his bid to regain the world title. The Dutchman’s run of four successive titles ended in last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi as his late-season surge came up short of denying Lando Norris a maiden crown.
Amid a welter of new regulations, Red Bull head into the 2026 season with the added challenge of producing their own power units in partnership with Ford. Speaking at a launch event in Detroit which revealed the new-look car, Verstappen admitted he needed to adapt to the changes.
“It’s all still a bit unknown,” he said. “It’s a very big change with the engine, the dimension of the car has changed. “For the drivers, it will take a bit of time to adjust and that’s why it’s very important during the test days that we are getting our laps in.”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted the team faces plenty of obstacles as they launched their new power unit. He said: “It’s going to be the biggest change of regulations in Formula 1 history, but that was not enough.
“We decided to do our own power unit with our strategic partner Ford. It’s a crazy challenge. It’s going to be a year full of challenges.
“We are not naive. We know it is going to come with a certain amount of struggle. We know it is going to come with difficulties.”
Red Bull said the RB22's livery marks "a return to the gloss finish first seen when the team made its debut back in 2005." A team statement continued: "Formula 1 is about to enter a new era, as the sport's technical regulations undergo a seismic change. This is also a defining moment for Oracle Red Bull Racing, because the opening round of the season in Melbourne will mark the official race debut of Red Bull Ford Powertrains, as the team now builds both car and power unit under the same roof for the very first time.
"To acknowledge this bold move, the RB22 will wear a livery inspired by Red Bull's original look in F1. It harks back to a more classic Red Bull Racing presence, sharpening reflections, boosting contrast under the lights and making heritage elements of the new livery feel richer and more premium at speed."